Morocco to Become 32nd Nation to Raise Flag in Polo Series

Date: Thursday, September 15, 2016

Morocco will be the 32nd nation to raise a flag in the NBC10 Newport International Polo Series XXV, presented by BMW, when it makes its debut at 4pm on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, featuring USA vs. Morocco as a highlight of its 25th anniversary celebration. The 6-chukker polo match will conclude with an après polo Marrakesh Express party with live entertainment and authentic culinary experience (by advanced reservation).

The polo match begin at 4pm. Seating & beverage service at the centerfield Pavilion starting at 2pm (by advanced reservation for $20/person). The gates to Lawn Seating ($12/adult in advance or at the gate) open at NOON for picnicking in the bucolic setting at the International Polo Grounds, Glen Farm, 250 Linden Lane, Portsmouth.

Competing for Morocco will be some of its highest rated civilian players. “It is an honor to host teams that travel such vast distances to accept our invitation,” explained Dan Keating, USA team captain and founder of the Polo Series.

Polo came to Morocco in 1899, to the City of Tangier, a so called "International zone", much favored by merchants and government officials of the West, and the sport was taken up by the Moroccan Royal cavalry. From Tangier, polo spread to the cities of Casablanca (1907) and to Fez, in the first half of the 20th century, when Morocco was under either Spanish or French rule. When Morocco recovered independence in 1956, Rabat became the new capital. The Royal Guard of Rabat -- responsible for the safety of the king and his royal family—have been central to Moroccan polo. Polo is played today in Rabat, Larache near Tangier, and Marrakesh. Supported by Morocco's monarch, King Mohammed VI, the sport continues to thrive. In 2006 the Federation of International Polo admitted Morocco as its first member nation from the African continent.

The Moroccan team will tour the famed Newport Mansions, enjoy helicopter tours with Birds Eye View, paddle boarding and surfing with Island Surf & Sport, tennis on the legendary courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, sail on 12 meter racing yachts with America's Cup Charters, enjoy fine dining and dancing at the Clarke Cooke House, experience the Newport International Boat Show, and all the great goings on in the City by the Sea.

The Polo Series featured 8 international teams this season including Mexico, Australia, Ireland, Italy, France, Jamaica, England, and the debut of Morocco, as well as 5 City Teams from major US cities and a few top regional rivals for an action-packed season through the end of September. The 32 nations hosted over its 25 seasons including England, Ireland, Scotland, Chile, Kenya, Jamaica, Italy, Singapore, Costa Rica, Portugal, Germany, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, India, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Barbados, France, Canada, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Kenya, Brazil, China, Sweden, Singapore, Monaco and Morocco.

Specialty vendors and concessionaires will be present in the Hospitality village at the polo grounds, including the Twisted Pony Bar, Newport Polo Pro Shop, and other specialty vendors and gourmet food trucks.

Dating back more than 130 years in Newport, the polo matches are one of Newport’s grandest & most popular traditions, a living legacy from the Gilded Age, and open to the public. Minutes from downtown Newport, the International Polo Grounds are located at historic Glen Farm, 250 Linden Lane in Portsmouth, RI. This bucolic setting is the last 100 acres of what was once a 700-acre manorial farm whose settlement dates back to the 1600's. Its classical stone barns from the Gilded Age and its park-like grounds were rehabilitated by Newport Polo founder, Dan Keating, and thrive today as an equestrian & community recreational property, and home of the Polo Series.

Audiences of several thousand spectators enjoy the contests against international teams, as well as teams representing major US cities, playing against the home team every Sat, June thru Sept. at 5 PM / 4 PM in Sept. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Jubilee season as a global ambassador to the sport of polo, the Polo Series' longevity would not be possible without the support of its sponsors from NBC - 10, BMW, ALEX AND ANI, Cox, Forty 1° North, Veuve Clicquot, NAVSTA Newport, RISD Executive Education, Stella Artois, Rockstar Limo, Lufthansa, Green Gear Global, WaterRower, Atria Senior Living, Shreve Crump & Low, Hotel Viking, Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa, Vanderbilt International Properties, Clarke Cooke House, McGrath Clambakes, Newport Daily News and promotional partners including The Preservation Society of Newport, Bird’s Eye View Helicopter Tours, America's Cup Charters, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Island Surf and Sport, The Cocktail Guru, Newport Mansions and Discover Newport.

Newport Polo is the host of the Newport International Polo Series, and home of America's first polo club, offering exhibition polo and club member services and instruction for outdoor & arena polo. Est. in 1876; founding member of the United States Polo Association.